I think Job is such an inspiring book, but I must admit that reading it makes me feel a little insecure. Oftentimes, the words of the "worthless physicians" or "miserable comforters" seem rather wise and spiritual to me. Yet obviously God doesn't think their words are worthy of esteem (Job 42:7). Can you offer some insight on how to view and interpret this incredible book? -- Christopher Koch
Not everything Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar says is wrong. Paul even quotes from one of them in Romans! Yet overall their perspective is wrong, and their theology is deeply flawed.
There are a number of speakers in the book of Job. While the entire book is inspired by God, this by no means that every speaker is telling the truth! Consider these characters in the book:
* God: his words are pure and faultless.
* Job: his words, despite the occasional critical attitude, are on the whole on target.
* Job's wife: her words hardly make for a wholesome philosophy of life!
* Elihu: unlike the "miserable comforters," he is not rebuked by God, for he does not espouse popular theology.
* Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar: You are right, the "worthless physicians" are spouting off nonsense, and God himself upbraids them for teaching error.
I would strongly recommend that you carefully read Gordon Fee's and Douglas Stuart's How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Revised Edition). They have an excellent section on how to read the Wisdom Literature, the literary genre to which Job belongs. Or you may like my own audio series, The Wisdom Literature, which will give you the tools to make sense of Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
Short answer: Be extremely wary of quoting from the book of Job. Chances are, the "wisdom" you are tapping into is conventional and incorrect.
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